Took a trip over to Farmoor today. Arrived around 12'ish, intending to boat fish Farmoor 2. As usual the weather forecast was wrong, a niggling NE wind which is the worst wind you can have at Farmoor. I drove around the perimeter road and chatted to a few of the guys fishing. Odd fish here and there, which didn't suprise me with the wind coming from the North.
I couldn't make my mind up whether to take a boat or bank fish. For those that haven't fished Farmoor, it is, in my opinion the best bank fishing in England, when it's going well! The fish cruise around the drop off and pick up their food from the plentiful weed beds.
I've always wondered about Farmoor 1. I've read the reports about the quality of the fishing there. A quick chat with the ranger and my ticket for Farmoor 1 in my pocket, I wheeled my kit up to start fishing. A nice ripple and good cloud cover, awkward for me as a right hander, with the wind blowing on to my right shoulder. I put up a 18 ft leader with my "go to" nymph, the red and black Spanflex buzzer that featured in Mays T&S. It's a Stan Headley pattern and that's good enough for me. Top dropper was host to a ginger hopper and the middle dropper I tied a size 12 Spanflex, and 6ft below, a size 10.
A forty five degree cast, 15 mtrs out and let them swing baby! Third cast, I saw a fish roll in the water about 10ft down, at the same time my shoulder was nearly dislocated as the line hissed through the water in an arc. It's a long time since a trout's taken me down to the last mtr of fly line. A good 8 minutes and I finally got the fish to show it's flanks and I slid it over the net. Estimated size, 6lb. It was like a sea trout. The takes on buzzers are usually savage, when you combine that with the size and condition of the fish, they were like hooking the wing mirror of an Arctic' lorry on the M6.
I finished the day at 1900hrs. I landed 11, the smallest 3lb and the rest on average, 4 - 5lbs each. I was smashed on the take, 4 times in row. The droppers just went ping. I was using 8lb fluoro. I lost the complete cast once when I had a double hook up. I didn't even see the fish. All I felt was a double rap and then the line sprang back at me. Unbelievable! I was using Airflo Sightfree and to be honest, it cost me another 6 or so fish.
I'm meticulous about my knots and don't hesitate to make up a new leader if I suspect there's a flaw on the line. I always wet my knots before drawing tight. I use a 3 turn water knot for my droppers and have done for years without any problems. Someone gave me some spools of Sightfree to try and to be honest with you, I did like the look of it. However, when I started to tie knots I didn't like the way it kinked easily. I took special care in bedding my knots but it just has very poor knot strength in my opinion. Whether it was the size of the fish, I don't think so. I put a leader of my old faithful Fulling Mill, and I never had a break off after.
If your catching stockies and 2 - 3lb'ers the Sightfree is probably OK. When it comes to large fit fish, the knots have no shock absorbing quality and part like cotton. I saw it today with my own eyes. I even compensated by holding the rod higher to get a bit of line as a cushion.
Anyway rant over. Here's the killing pattern. Sorry about the quality.
Black and red Spanflex buzzer
Farmoor 1 is C&R. It's difficult to take pics on ones own without causing the fish too much stress. Here's one I quickly took, a 4lb bar of silver, with the buzzer in the scissors. Perfect.
For £20, it's the best fun I've had with my wellies on in ages.Another thing, I had the whole place to myself until about 1800hrs. I can't believe that Forum members haven't found this fishery. I know some have but if there's a better days fishing anywhere, I'd like to see it. Recommended, but hang on tight guys.
Fun, fun, fun at Farmoor 1
Linear Mode
